Environment
Fertiliser cuts, changes to excretion rates and crude protein feed levels in new Nitrates proposals
Following a meeting of the Agriculture Water Quality Group on February 29, a suite of measures have been proposed to improve water quality at farm level.
01 March 2024
Tighter rules on slurry movements
Farmers exporting slurry to stay within nitrates limits are facing additional requirements to verify its movement from farm-to-farm.
01 March 2024
Speeding up the process of getting your fertiliser shopping list
The introduction of the National Fertiliser Database, along with changes to the Nitrates Action Plan (NAP), has seen more farmers seeking advice when it comes to knowing their compliance limits and what fertiliser products they can purchase this year.
29 February 2024
Traditional fertiliser programmes no longer cut it
A combination of maintaining and increasing grass/crop yields, environment challenges pertaining to reducing emissions and losses to water, along with targeting improvements in soil fertility, has brought about a change in the fertiliser programmes required on farms.
28 February 2024
Deadline for hedge cutting approaches
Farmers are being reminded that the prohibited period for hedge cutting comes into force from March 1.
27 February 2024
Deadline for entering Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards approaching
The Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards aim to promote environmentally sustainable farming and recognise the progress that farmers are making to lighten the load of farming on the environment, while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner.
26 February 2024
New biodiversity pilot project brings Dexter cows to Galway City
Joanne Masterson, Soils & Environment Advisor, tells us about a new biodiversity pilot project which is being run by Galway City Council bringing eight Dexter cows to graze the headland east of Ballyloughnane Beach in Renmore until March 2024.
25 February 2024
Watch: Signpost Series: Slurry - Maximising agricultural benefits, minimising environmental losses
On this episode of the Signpost Series, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment KT, Teagasc was joined by Noel Meehan, ASSAP Programme Manager, Teagasc to discuss slurry - maximising agricultural benefits, minimising environmental losses.
24 February 2024
Assessing soil carbon stocks accurately
New Teagasc research just published highlights the consequences of not measuring soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in Irish grassland soils precisely.
23 February 2024
Prioritise actions to improve water quality
The Irish agricultural sector, encompassing both farmers and the wider industry, must prioritise actions to bring about an improvement in water quality, Dr David Wall, Enterprise Leader at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, told the recent Teagasc Water Quality Conference.
23 February 2024
Protected urea - protecting the environment and delivering for farmers
Áine Murray, Donal Patton, Philip Creighton and Brian McCarthy tell us how switching to protected urea reduces greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, with plot experiments showing no significant difference in grass production between protected urea and conventional fertilizers.
19 February 2024
Part 2: Dublin City farming in the 1950s
A thriving agricultural industry was going on in Dublin city in the 1950s, from pigs and horses to cows.
19 February 2024
Watch: Signpost Series - Community led action for wetlands
On this episode of The Signpost Series, host Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc was joined by Dr. Mícheál Callaghan, Community Wetlands Forum to discuss community led action for wetlands: Lessons from the Community Wetlands Forum.
18 February 2024
Farmers face additional water quality inspections
An increased number of water quality inspections, relating to reducing the impact agricultural activities – both within the farmyard and on farmland – have on water quality, are on the cards for 2024.
16 February 2024
Workshop to promote pollinator-friendly farming
Farmland Biodiversity Research Officer, Saorla Kavanagh is the coordinating expert at the upcoming workshop Promoting pollinator-friendly farming that will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia on June 18-19, 2024.
16 February 2024
Interim ACRES payment rates confirmed
Further details on the interim payments to participants in Tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) who have not yet received their advance payments for participation in the scheme have been announced.
15 February 2024
The Value of Soil Sampling
Eddie Webb, Teagasc Soils & Environment Advisor, gives his guide to soil sampling and fertility management.
14 February 2024
Organically farmed area triples since 2020
Following the announcement that 1,050 new applicants will participate in the Organic Farming Scheme this year, bringing the total to over 5,000, the area being farmed organically in Ireland is set to triple since 2020.
07 February 2024
Part 1: Dublin city farming and the big flood in the 1950s
A thriving agricultural industry was going on in Dublin city in the 1950s, from pigs and horses to cows.
06 February 2024
Hedge and Tree Planting Requirements for ACRES Tranche 1
Martina Donnelly, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Galway/Clare, tells us that many farmers have now begun preparing for their tree and hedge planting options under ACRES, and explains the hedge and tree planting requirements of the scheme.
05 February 2024
Clearing the air
Carbon sequestration, the capture of carbon into soil, can be an effective tool to combat climate change.
04 February 2024
A worm welcome
As part of international efforts to safeguard soil health and biodiversity, Teagasc researchers have been assessing practical farm-scale measures to enhance soil biodiversity in intensively managed grasslands.
03 February 2024
Celebrating World Wetlands Day - the role of wetlands and human wellbeing
To celebrate World Wetlands Day, Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, reminds us that all aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of our wetlands.
02 February 2024
Watch: Signpost Series Webinar - Planting Hedges
On this episode of the Signpost Series, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist, Teagasc to discuss planting hedges
31 January 2024
‘Best of’ to be recognised in Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards
Launched in early January, the Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards feature a prize fund of €30,000. In addition to an overall award winner, prizes will be awarded in up to nine categories.
29 January 2024
Taking centre stage - the role of the Teagasc Climate Centre
Teagasc’s Climate Centre takes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together staff from across the organisation to work on some of the biggest climate and biodiversity challenges facing us.
28 January 2024
Action needed to avoid ‘uphill battle’ on future nitrates derogations
The future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation is dependent on farmers making the right choices and implementing measures to improve water quality, according to Eoghan O’Brien, Teagasc Sustainability Advisor.
25 January 2024
Save slurry for your silage ground
Although slurry spreading is now permitted in Zones A and B, farmers have been reminded to plan carefully and to apply slurry in the areas where it gives the best response.
24 January 2024
NMP Online, helping to embrace change
Dr. Padraig Foley, Technologist, Teagasc Johnstown Castle, joined Pat Murphy, Teagasc’s Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer, on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss NMP Online, helping to embrace change.
22 January 2024
Soil Sampling for ACRES Tranche 1
Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, tells us that all participants in ACRES Tranche 1 must have valid soil sample results or soil sample exemption forms uploaded on the ACRES online system by the 15th May 2024.
22 January 2024